tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81363618364227986242018-03-05T13:21:08.606-08:00The Fish CreelJust Chatting about Fishing (Salmon Mostly but a few other species thrown in), Cooking, Fishing Vacations, Tips for Fishing and enjoying it. Sometimes Boat Maintenance tips.JD Jim DeGolierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399431073377816113noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136361836422798624.post-28070951455405015522018-02-07T14:29:00.000-08:002018-02-07T14:29:58.039-08:00Crooked Island ReportAs you may or may not know Crooked Island, Bahamas was dealt a severe blow a couple of years ago that nearly wiped out the entire Island. Hurricane Joaquin was the culprit.<br />My wife and I returned this past December to find that the fishing and local residents have done a nice job rebuilding. The Fishing guides are busy and the fishing has rebounded with lots of Snook and Tarpon in the lagoon and creeks. The Bonefish are doing well also and you have to try the Live Bait Fishing. Snorkeling is also a great adventure as the reefs are abundant on Crooked Island.<br />The Beach walks are second to none.<br />If you want to experience true Bahama Life this is the place.<br />I would definitely recommend booking a trip. It will be an experience of a lifetime.<br /><a href="http://www.cribonefishing.com/">www.cribonefishing.com</a> for details.<br />Scott and Wanda Christensen can help you book your trip.<br />Jim DeGolier<br /><br />JD Jim DeGolierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399431073377816113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136361836422798624.post-12532685974888808722018-02-07T13:42:00.001-08:002018-02-07T13:42:33.146-08:00Winter BlackmouthBlackmouth fishing in the San Juan's (Area 7) is great this year. Just make sure to use barbless hooks and Knotless net to have minimum impact on the fishery.<br />One hour before and one hour after tide changes are the best.<br />Good Luck<br />Jim D<br />Master Marine Boat Center<br />Mount Vernon, WAJD Jim DeGolierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399431073377816113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136361836422798624.post-50450773863467604012016-11-15T13:21:00.000-08:002016-11-15T13:21:19.779-08:00Winter Fishing.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are still a lot of opportunities for fishing. I think for most of us we change our priorities this time of year to focus on family and food. Some just go somewhere warmer.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some great getaways for warmer climate would be like Fishing in the Bahamas. Believe me, you will not be disappointed. &nbsp;Pick a quiet Island like Crooked Island and you will just about have all of the white sand beaches and fishing that you can stand. Visit <a href="http://cribonefishing.com/">CRIbonefishing.com</a>&nbsp;for the best guides and packages around. They really need our help too after the hurricanes the last two years in a row. Fishing and tourism is what most of the island residents count on for their income. They're not asking for any handouts, they just want you to come and let them serve you.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you decide to stay around here and fish there are plenty of year round lakes open and the fishing is still pretty good. Lake Campbell &amp; Lake Samish come to mind. Then there are a bunch on the east side, too.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salmon are always crazy in Whatcom Creek, but you should take your goggles and go down and watch first before trying to get into combat.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blackmouth will be opening December 1st in area 7 and it promises to be quite active.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first weekend will be crazy because they have two derbys that weekend. it may be better and more relaxing during the week.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have fun and keep it light.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best wishes for the Holidays,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">JD&nbsp;</span>JD Jim DeGolierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399431073377816113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136361836422798624.post-65664857933896140892016-06-21T09:06:00.001-07:002016-06-21T09:06:30.187-07:00<h2>Shrimp still going strong!</h2><div>Area 7 West is still a great area for shrimp and I have heard a lot of success stories. Make sure you have the right gear and check the regulations, but get out there and enjoy the beauty and the bounty.</div>JD Jim DeGolierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399431073377816113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136361836422798624.post-79691672207900360972016-06-01T08:49:00.000-07:002016-06-07T17:09:34.028-07:00<h2><span style="color: red;">It's Official! Fishing Will be Open!</span></h2>We have an opportunity to get out on the water and regardless of what some may say we can use fishing as an excuse.<br />As a fisherman of over 60 years in the San Juans, I have seen ups and downs in Salmon Seasons.<br />When I was younger I was very competitive when it came to fishing. After taking my wife and kids along almost every weekend for five or six years my wife pointed out an observation that really changed the way I enjoy the water. She said, "I've noticed that most of the fish you catch are caught before 10AM in the morning. So, Why don't we fish until 10AM then go explore the islands and beaches with the kids and we will ALL have fun?"<br />It changed the way&nbsp;we spent time on the water and she was right we all had a lot more fun, caught just as many fish and made good memories.<br />Don't let life pass you by with the great natural beauty that we have to enjoy. Fishing, by itself, is not profitable, but when you learn to relax and enjoy the beauty it is very profitable for the body and soul.<br />Have fun this summer!JD Jim DeGolierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399431073377816113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136361836422798624.post-697754890539394942016-05-19T15:05:00.002-07:002016-05-19T15:05:36.180-07:00We Will Have a Salmon Season This Year!Despite all the "Doom and Gloom" that we've been hearing, an announcement is coming soon for the 2016 salmon fishing season. We have so many things to be thankful for.<br />We all have to work together to keep the Salmon Habitat and stock in good shape and that means some sacrifices along the way.<br />I think the WDFW and&nbsp;The other parties have done a great job, for the most part. They have worked extremely hard to walk the fine line of responsibility to bring us an opportunity to partake in another fun year of being on the water. Let's not waste our opportunity to enjoy our natural surroundings. Some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.<br />Be good stewards and enjoy your summer. You'll never get this one back. Make sure and teach your kids to smell the flowers but leave some for those that come behind you to enjoy. May those who come behind us find us faithful.<br />Have fun and be safe on the water.<br />JD Jim DeGolier<br />JD Jim DeGolierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399431073377816113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136361836422798624.post-68916925529665507022015-10-28T13:38:00.002-07:002015-10-30T09:28:12.651-07:00The Close is near! But a New season is coming!Salmon Fishing in the San Juans (Area 7)&nbsp;is just about to close for a short time.<br />The upside is that fishing reopens December 1, 2016 for Blackmouth (Chinook).<br />Minimum size will be 22" and they must be marked fish (clipped fin) to keep them.<br />Release all native fish. Please use the proper release methods.<br /><br />The fishing should be good. there are signs that we have anchovies in the area right now so this should bring a lot of salmon following behind.<br />My brother and I were fishing for silvers (Coho) last weekend and one of the fish we caught had a large anchovy in its throat. It was a fresh unmarked anchovy so it wasn't someone else's bait and there weren't many other boats around either.<br /><br />This should be a good Blackmouth season. I always get excited about Blackmouth, because I think it's the best fishing of the year. Generally, you don't have to go as far or fish as long to catch fish.<br /><br />Have fun and be safe.JD Jim DeGolierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399431073377816113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136361836422798624.post-58446939025116182562015-09-19T08:03:00.000-07:002015-09-19T08:03:21.647-07:00Humpy ManiaOnce again the Humpies are plentiful. They started showing up in the San Juans early this year and they are now in the Rivers. Most fishermen are now focused on the late arriving Kings (aka Chinook) &amp;&nbsp;Coho (aka Silvers). <br />Last Monday I was out fishing and we had lots of action on the Kings and Coho. Landed a 22# King and Lots of Coho to the boat over 10# with the largest being about 15#.<br />We were using green herring (size) and inline flasher at about 60' deep and fishing where the bait is on the outside of San Juan Island.<br />There were a few Orcas around also but we tried to avoid being where they were.<br />All in all we started with 24 herring and came home with 5 herring left so we had plenty of action.<br />Look for the Coho fishing to peak about the 10th of October but the Chinook is slowing now.JD Jim DeGolierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399431073377816113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136361836422798624.post-59151098738360252832008-12-10T19:47:00.000-08:002008-12-15T12:24:47.611-08:00Make Sure your Boat is Winterized!Make sure to put storage stabilizer in the fuel, Change the fuel filter, change the oil and filter, Change the lower unit lube and drain the manifolds if you have an inboard engine. If you don't know how to do these things call your dealer and pay for the service. This can save you lots of money next season.JD Jim DeGolierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399431073377816113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136361836422798624.post-16458373316854362312008-12-10T19:37:00.000-08:002008-12-15T12:21:47.951-08:00The Best Winter VacationThe Best Vacation we've ever taken was a two week stay on Crooked Island, Bahamas. You may think that you need shopping and lots of people and party activity on a vacation, but I bet you would change your whole outlook on life if you spent 2 weeks on the family Island of Crooked Island and you will have plenty of Sun and Sand and almost all to yourself. You will become a part of the family in no time and the food is great. If you like seafood you won't be dissappointed. Great Family style meals. When you take a 4 mile walk on the beach you most likely won't see any other footprints and if you like to fish you will find plenty of action. To the crew of Village Bonefish Lodge; Thank you for the great food and Fishing trips.JD Jim DeGolierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399431073377816113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136361836422798624.post-80227152816567204952008-11-21T16:08:00.000-08:002008-11-21T16:16:10.017-08:00Smoking salmon!Tis the season to smoke salmon. This is the time of year that most salmon get smoked.<br />The best recipe I've found for a good brine is as follows<br />3 cups water (filtered) we don't need clorine.<br />1 cup of salt<br />1 cup of brown sugar<br />1 tablespoon onion powder<br />2 cloves garlic (minced)<br /><br />Put the fresh fillets into brine and let it sit for 8 hrs.<br /><br />Remove fish from Brine and let them air dry on paper towels.<br /><br />When the pieces are dry then put in the smoker with alder chips until desired doneness is reached (for average Salmon filets, about 10-15 lb fish, that will be about 8 hrs). Make sure to keep the smoke going for at least 6 hrs).<br />It works real good for me!JD Jim DeGolierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399431073377816113noreply@blogger.com0